Used car guide

2006 Volkswagen Passat: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Volkswagen Passats, from 3,912 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,912MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
8,000typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Volkswagen Passats than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.8× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    30.7% All 2006 cars
    11.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 2.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    18.7% All 2006 cars
    7.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 3.4% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Sub-frame2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    14.7% All 2006 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Coil springs1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    18.5% All 2006 cars
    11.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints1.8× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    7.5% All 2006 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.5% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 5.1% here, against 14.1% of all 2006 cars. Exhaust system: 4.4% here, against 9.4% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Volkswagen Passat MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    61% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    42% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    33% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    19% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Volkswagen Passat?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20222,480Tyres 28%
20213,675Tyres 28%
20205,842Tyres 27%
20197,334Tyres 29%
201810,770Tyres 30%
201713,909Tyres 30%
201614,973Tyres 31%
201515,235Tyres 32%
201414,561Suspension 43%
201311,677Suspension 46%
201213,143Suspension 50%
201115,088Suspension 53%
20109,953Suspension 56%
20099,559Suspension 56%
20087,455Suspension 57%
20076,006Suspension 59%
20052,928Suspension 51%
20042,404Suspension 49%
20032,104Suspension 51%
20021,324Suspension 50%
2001774Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Volkswagen Passats registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score